The free expression of opinion being a basic human right, the IHEU condemns all violations of that right wherever they occur. In particular we protest at the recent and current trials of intellectuals in Czechoslovakia, most of whom are prosecuted for their commitment to the ideals of Marxist Humanism and for their association with the attempts to promote “Socialism with a Human Face”. The trials are in effect held in secret and the accused are without exception receiving severe sentences of several years in prison. Their “crimes” are no more than expressing and publishing criticism of the system and communicating with other humanists in other countries. The fact that these trials are brought under existing laws makes them no less deplorable, and reflects upon the nature of the present regime.
We also wish to draw attention to the continuing political repression occurring throughout the world. Brazil and Greece are widely known to be offenders in this respect, but these countries are not alone and represent the ugly tip of the iceberg of human repression.
Board of Directors 1972
'Political repression (1972)', Humanists International, Board of Directors, 1972